Challenge Partners

Follow the Competition

This paper provides software and mobile device developers with an overview of recent applications of mobile technologies addressing traffic safety.

Smart phones are increasingly the common denominator among pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers on NYC's crowded streets. Create technology to connect those in traffic and keep pedestrians safe and alert.

Building on national efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of texting while driving, AT&T introduces Connected Intersections, a new traffic safety initiative to spur technological solutions to improve traffic safety on New York City streets and in other urban environments. The challenge seeks to leverage smart phone technology and wireless networks to make pedestrians, cyclists and motorists more aware of their surroundings and alert them to potential dangers.

To kick-off Connected Intersections, AT&T, NYC Media Lab and New York University’s Polytechnic School of Engineering produced a white paper drawing on research from around the country that examines smart phone distraction and impediments to traffic safety.

The paper provides a springboard for a three-month tech challenge where developers will compete to create smart phone apps and wearable solutions that aim to augment the public’s connectedness to their immediate surroundings while reducing distraction.

What type of app, wearable device, or technology will you create to increase environmental awareness for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers? Will you deploy Natural User Interface (NUI) design principles? Or, will you use sensor-based technologies or device-to-device communication?

There are many ways to approach the problem of traffic safety and join the expanding community of New York City elected officials, policy makers, advocates and concerned citizens working to improve traffic safety and reduce injuries and fatalities from vehicle collisions. Now you can be part of the solution.

Ready to start? Register for the challenge and go to the Resources page to get access to traffic safety data, facts, and research.

Eligibility

Individuals (who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence at the time of entry); Teams of eligible individuals; Organizations (up to 50 employees)

Organizations with over 50 employees may compete for the non-cash Large Organization Recognition Award.

Requirements

Content: Submitted solutions must include features and functionality focused on reducing collisions between vehicles and pedestrians (including cyclists) in urban street environments. See Official Rules and FAQ for more information.

software running on other hardware (including, but not exclusive to, wearable technology, open source hardware, etc.)

custom hardware which includes a software component (wearable technology, etc.)

Supplemental Material: You must submit a demo video (hosted on YouTube, Vimeo, or Youku) that walks through the main functionality of the solution via screencast or video. You must also submit at least one image/screenshot of your working solution.

New & Existing Solutions: Solutions may be newly created or pre-existing. If submitting an existing solution (developed prior to this competition), it must include new features/functionality added after the start of the submission period, which specifically aims to reduce collisions between vehicles and pedestrians (including cyclists) in urban street environments. Existing solutions will be required to explain their new features in the submission form.